Notable Alumni of Notre Dame of Maryland University

Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private Catholic university located in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1873 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, it began as a preparatory school and was elevated to a four-year college in 1895. NDMU has a rich history of educating women and, since 2022, has transitioned to a fully co-educational institution. The university is situated on North Charles Street, between the historic neighborhoods of Homeland and Guilford, adjacent to Loyola University Maryland. This article highlights some of the university's most accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields.

Historical Context and University Features

Originally, one of the first buildings, "Gibbons Hall," was constructed in an "L-shaped" structure and opened in 1873. It was surmounted by its landmark white wooden tower and became the landmark site symbolizing "Notre Dame of Maryland," which offered instruction to girls and young women. The university's Marikle Chapel of the Annunciation was originally designed by notable architects Ephraim Francis Baldwin and Josias Pennington. It was restored in 2002. Fourier Hall is an example of Art Moderne architecture.

NDMU's campus features notable architecture, including the Marikle Chapel of the Annunciation, originally designed by Ephraim Francis Baldwin and Josias Pennington and restored in 2002, and Fourier Hall, an example of Art Moderne architecture. The university also shares a library with Loyola University Maryland.

The university comprises several colleges and institutes, including the College of Adult Undergraduate Studies, which offers flexible schedules for working adults, and the College of Graduate Studies, which provides coeducational weekend and evening classes. Additionally, the English Language Institute offers instruction for international students, and the Renaissance Institute caters to individuals aged 50 and older.

NDMU's athletic teams compete in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The university has eight NCAA women's sports: basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball, and two men's sports: soccer and basketball. Most sports participate in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC). The mascot of Notre Dame of Maryland University is the Gator.

Read also: Enrollment at Notre Dame

Notable Alumnae

This section showcases some of the most distinguished graduates of Notre Dame of Maryland University, highlighting their achievements and contributions.

Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864-1952)

Frances Benjamin Johnston was an American photographer and photojournalist whose career spanned nearly half a century. She is renowned for her portraits, images of Southern architecture, and photographic series featuring African Americans and Native Americans at the turn of the twentieth century. Her work provides valuable insights into the social and cultural landscape of the era.

Helen Dortch Longstreet (1863-1962)

Helen Dortch Longstreet, known as the "Fighting Lady," was an American social advocate, librarian, and newspaperwoman. She served as a reporter, editor, publisher, and business manager. Longstreet was the second wife of Confederate General James Longstreet. She was a champion of environmental preservation and civil rights. She also advocated for women's rights and served as a Confederate memorialist and postmistress.

Susan Love (1948-2012)

Susan Margaret Love was an American surgeon and a prominent advocate of preventive breast cancer research. She was regarded as one of the most respected women's health specialists in the United States. Love was best known for her pioneering work fueled by her criticism of the medical establishment's paternalistic treatment of women. She advocated for cancer surgery that conserves breast tissue and raised awareness about the risks of routine hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal women.

Elizabeth Paschel Hoisington (1918-2007)

Elizabeth Paschel Hoisington was a United States Army officer. She was one of the first two women to attain the rank of brigadier general. Her career marked a significant milestone for women in the military.

Read also: Ethical Leadership at Notre Dame

Mary Ann Lisanti

Mary Ann Lisanti is an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party. She represented District 34A in the Maryland House of Delegates. Previously, she represented district F on the Harford County Council, representing Havre de Grace, Abingdon, Belcamp/Riverside, and Aberdeen Proving Ground. Lisanti's career in public service reflects her commitment to her community and her involvement in local and state politics.

Margaret M. Sweeney

Margaret Mary Sweeney is a senior judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims. She was appointed to that court in 2005 by President George W. Bush. She served as chief judge from July 12, 2018, to October 19, 2020. Sweeney's legal career and judicial service highlight her expertise and contributions to the field of law.

Irene Patricia Murphy Keeley

Irene Patricia Murphy Keeley is an inactive senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. Her tenure as a judge reflects her dedication to the legal system and her service to the community.

L. Paige Marvel

Lynda Paige Marvel is an American lawyer who serves as a senior judge of the United States Tax Court. Her expertise in tax law and her role as a judge underscore her significant contributions to the legal profession.

Shelley Puhak

Shelley Puhak is an American poet and writer. She was Eichner Professor of Creative Writing at Notre Dame of Maryland University. She won the Anthony Hecht Poetry Prize for her poetry collection Guinevere in Baltimore. She was a National Poetry Series winner for her poetry collection Harbinger. She is also the author of The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry That Forged the Medieval World, a double biography.

Frances Maule Bjorkman (1879-1966)

Frances Maule Bjorkman was a New Yorker prominent in the woman's suffrage movement. She was a member of the National Woman Suffrage Association. She was a member of the Heterodoxy women's group. She lived at the Helicon Home Colony, an experimental community founded by Upton Sinclair.

Sandra L. Pack

Sandra Lee "Sandy" Pack was United States Assistant Secretary of the Army from 2001 to 2003 and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Management & Chief Financial Officer from 2005 to 2006.

Nicholé C. Gatewood, Esq. ’01

Nicholé C. Gatewood, Esq. ’01 is the founder and managing attorney of Gatewood & Associates, LLC, a law firm focused on civil litigation, estate and trusts, and guardianship. She is a seasoned attorney, a dedicated civic leader, and an engaged mentor to both professionals and students. Widely respected as a skilled jurist, zealous advocate, strategic thinker, and trusted advisor, Gatewood stands out for her hands-on, client-centered approach. Before founding her firm, she served for over a decade as an assistant attorney general for the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, representing agencies in high-stakes litigation, including state, federal, administrative, and appellate cases, and providing strategic legal counsel on complex regulatory and policy matters. In 2020, she made history as the first woman of color elected president of the NDMU Alumni Council in the university’s 125-year history-a role she continues to hold. In addition to serving as president of the Hillsdale Heights Neighborhood Association, she chairs its Land Use Committee, where she provides legal expertise on zoning and public safety matters. Among her most notable achievements is successfully leading a grassroots effort that halted a proposed development, which threatened a vital community greenspace-preserving forested land, local wildlife, and neighborhood integrity.

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